According to some, black metal is considered an “inappropriate” territory for the female essence. I am not sure why someone always tries to place women in a frame invented by their personal ego, but it is what it is. Without going further into the topic, let’s celebrate the female presence in our favorite scene today and pay tribute to the work and creativity of women who are burning inside of the black metal genre and over the years have managed to touch our souls with their captivating melodies and demonic vocals.

  1. Mordichrist (Sweden)  
Formed in 2000 by guitarist Chaq Mol (Dark Funeral, Mefisto, ex-Skellington, ex- Arkham Asylum, ex-Primal Rites, ex-Taigress) and vocalist, bassist and keyboardist Nenia, Mordichrist quickly mastered the darkness and, with inspiration from both black metal and doom metal, in 2001 managed to offer the world their debut demo “The Root of the Embryo”. The band is still active, having released three demos and two EPs to date, the last of which – “Dressed in Menace”, was released in 2006. This is also the year after which Mordichrist fell into a creative lull, but to this day they continue to be as cohesive as a collective. The band’s raw music is a true underground gem from the Swedish black metal scene.

  2. Lustravi (USA)  
The band’s vocalist and bassist Morgan Weller masters several vocal techniques, and teaming with drummer Cory Keister and guitarist Zachary Lee Cook, they managed to create a memorable full-length offering – “Cult of the Blackened Veil”, which was released in 2016. In 2018, the band definitively ceased its activities, but despite this, there has been no shortage of concert appearances over the years, during which the band puts on a great show.

  3. Sagrada Blasfêmia (Brazil)  
Formed in 2006 by vocalist Jamine Marchito (known by her nicknames Condessa Carnage and Gräfin Blutbad), bassist Vultur Gryphus, guitarist Krieglord (Cold Blasphemy, Funeral Countess, Misanthropic) and drummer Lord Baphomet (Acid Words, Barrio Machetero, Bränn, Hanal Pixan, Kill the Whore, NeverChrist, Antropofectus, ex-Crepusculic Shadows, ex-Affront, ex-Delicta Carnis, ex-Enemy Cross, ex-Funeral Countess, ex-Imperador Belial, ex-Legalized Murder, ex-The Black Cold, ex- Wardeath, ex-Imminent Doom (live), ex-Cães com Ódio, ex-Diarréia Nuclear, ex-Exylium, ex-Kramunha). Although the band is not known worldwide, but is mainly part of the local underground and ended its journey in 2009, after only three years of existence and several demos and split albums, Sagrada Blasfêmia is definitely one of the names that left their mark on the Brazilian scene and the world of darkness. Most of the musicians are still active with their other music endevours.

Delve into the debut demo of the band , “O Prenúncio”:

  4. Nocturnal Worshipper (Brazil)  
Founded in 1993 in Rio de Janeiro by drummer Adrameleck (Hellkommander, ex- Putréfagos, ex- Apokalyptic Raids, ex- Grave Desecrator, ex- Prophecy, ex- Sodomizer, ex- Bíblia Negra ) vocalist Vanessa Alves, bassist Hofgodhar and guitarist and vocalist Wizard, the band released two exceptional demos as a trio – “The Lords of Occultism” (1994) and “Ceremonial Circle” (1995). These releases turned out to be a prelude to the band’s only full-length album, which is still an important part from the Brazilian underground – “The Return of the Southern Tyrants”, released in 2001, with the vocals on the album recorded by the band’s new leader Vanessa ‘Thuringwithal’ Alves, thanks to whom Nocturnal Worshipper briefly returned and played a series of memorable concerts.

Delve into “The Return of the Southern Tyrants” below:

  5. Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult (Germany)  
The band was founded in 1997 by vocalist and guitarist Yvonne ‘Onielar’ Wilczynska (see also her other band Bethlehem), drummer Ariovist and bassist Thymos. The following year, the band began working on their debut demo, while Thymos left the band and the bass was taken over by Grigorr, while at the same time guitarist Sven ‘Velnias’ Galinsky  joined the band. Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult released their debut demo “The Pest Called Humanity” in this line-up in 1999. After its release, Ariovist also left the band and his place has since been taken by Michael ‘Horrn’ Pelkowsky. The band is still active today, having released six full-length albums, the last of which appeared in 2019 – “Mordom”, and the band has adhered to the 90s Norwegian wave of black metal since its inception, and you can also feel other influences in its style. Onielar’s vocals are a trademark in each of Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult’s recordings, with the lyrics focusing mainly on nihilism and Satanism, and as for their live performances – although they are an impressive band and have a captivating stage presence, they categorically refuse to practice satanic shows and flaunt posturing misanthropy.

  6. Demonic Christ (USA)  
A particularly charming black metal project. It all started in 1992 as an independent idea of ​​guitarist and vocalist Dana ‘Satania’ Duffey. The following year, she was joined as guest musicians by the now deceased bassist Aragon Amori from Profanatica and drummer Darren Morgenthaler, with whose help Demonic Christ managed to record their debut demo “Deceiving the Heavens”, released in 1993 in the form of limited edition self-released cassettes, which became a real cult among fans – the first 100 copies were splashed with the vocalist’s blood. Later, in 1997, she gave up her pseudonym Satania and quit Corpse Paint, disgusted by the increasing airs and graces in black metal.
Although Dana Duffey was briefly joined by a number of session musicians over the years, Demonic Christ was always driven by her and her visions. As such, in my opinion, it never quite became a full-fledged band, but rather tended towards a solo project. The band’s only full-length album appeared in 1995 and was called “Punishment for Ignorance”. Aside from it and their debut demo, Demonic Christ released several promo materials, a compilation and a split album with Horna in 2014. The status of the band is currently unknown.

  7. Hulder (USA)  
Born in Belgium, Marliese Beeuwsaert founded the project in 2018 in Washington, D.C., and from the very beginning, it has relied on Belgian folklore, the Middle Ages, and torture as inspiration. In other words, themes that rarely leave anyone indifferent, especially with a 90s old-school black metal flavor. To date, Hulder has released three demos, two EP’s, and the full-length “Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry” (2021), with her latest EP “The Eternal Fanfare” being released in 2022, followed in the same year by the live album “Benighted in Blood.”

  8. THALLIUM (France)  
The band was formed in 2008 by bassist Trahorn, drummer Nohros, guitarist Lordhem and vocalist Chimera. With the same line-up, THALLIUM released their debut demo “Act I: The Beginning” in 2015 and their debut full-length album “Act II: Internal War” in 2016. The band is literally one of the hidden treasures of the French underground, and is still active.

  9. Hellevaerder (Netherlands)  
The band released their debut full-length album “In de nevel van afgunst” last year, but its content has been worked out and planned since the band’s inception in 2017 and carries a specific Dutch frost, further enriched by the authenticity of the musicians’ native language. In its current lineup, the band brings together bassist Rene Meijer, drummer and guitarist Daan Bleumink, vocalist Miranda Visser and guitarists Bas Cuperus and Arjen Kleiss.

Delve into their album below:

  10. Bleeding Black (Bulgaria)  
There is no way such an article could not end with Bleeding Black. Hailing from the small city of Vratsa, Pagane’s vocals, her stage presence and performance have always been and will be part of something very special for our scene and will inspire with their purity and originality, with an atmosphere imbued with madness and raw energy. Founded in 1999, under the Bleeding Black banner, two full-length albums were released within a few years – “Too Black” (2001) and “Personal Hell” (2003). The band, as you probably know, is no longer active, with all of its members except Vesela (Pagane) – Vampiriac, Agan and Pericles, continuing after 2004 with Orenda.